Ashfield Nursery School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Outcome

There has been no change to this school's overall judgement of outstanding as a result of this ungraded (section 8) inspection.

However, the evidence gathered suggests that the inspection grade might not be as high if a graded (section 5) inspection were carried out now. The next inspection will therefore be a graded inspection.

What is it like to attend this school?

Adults at this school are warm and welcoming.

They reassure children when they start school and each morning when they arrive. Children feel safe. They soon settle and are confident to play with toys and take part in activities.

They concentrate for longer and longer periods of time.

Adults h...elp children to become independent. Children learn to look after themselves.

Adults guide them to complete tasks that become more and more difficult. The youngest children learn to go to the toilet by themselves. Older children learn to go up and down the steep stairs without holding an adult's hand.

The vast majority of children behave well. They learn school routines and listen to each other and to adults during group times. Adults skilfully and gently help children to join in if they become distracted.

Adults show children how to sort out disputes, so they do this for themselves.

A very small number of children sometimes struggle to participate in activities. Adults use different ways to help children take part.

This is not always successful and can disrupt the session for a short time.

Children take part in good range of new and varied experiences. The curriculum ensures that children learn in a logical order.

However, on a day-to-day basis, adults are not consistently clear about the language they want children to learn. Adults miss opportunities to extend and deepen children's knowledge.

What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

The curriculum is well sequenced.

Leaders prioritise children's communication and language development. The youngest children learn the first 20 words and phrases they need for future success. For example, they learn the word 'stop'.

Adults build up children's knowledge in very small steps. They use hand gestures and pictures to help. Adults know when children are ready to move on to the next step.

Adults talk as they play with children to deepen and widen children's vocabulary.

As children get older, they learn a wider range of words and phrases. Adults help children how to speak in sentences, take turns and respond to questions.

For example, a group of children were playing hide and seek outdoors. The adult wove in new mathematical language using questions, such as 'Is she up in the tree?' and 'Is she behind the wall?' The children used these questions when it was their turn to 'seek'.

Children communicate with each other and with adults in more sophisticated ways.

They talk about the cress seeds that they have grown. They use mathematical vocabulary when they are describing the model they have made.

Adults encourage children to play together and to cooperate with each other.

They show how to solve a problem when more than one child wants to play with the same toy. Children then try to sort out the problem themselves.

Adults know children well and assess children's capabilities accurately.

However, unlike in mathematical development, sometimes adults are not clear about what they want children to learn during an activity. Sometimes, adults use imprecise and inaccurate vocabulary. They choose the wrong activity to support learning.

For example, one group watched a screen with calming music at lunchtime. This did not help adults' aim to develop children's conversation.

Nearly all children can control their emotions and follow routines.

They behave well. They trust adults to help them. Adults are caring, providing comfort if a child falls over and hurts themselves.

The curriculum for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is variable. Children are successful and build up knowledge in very small steps when they work on their own with an adult. Occasionally, in group times the curriculum is not adapted well enough to help children with SEND take part.

Sometimes, this causes disruption. Adults help but it can take time to resolve.

A good range of opportunities broaden children's experiences.

Partnerships with organisations enhance musical activities, for example. Children learn about growing and making food. They made egg sandwiches for snack.

Leaders ensure that books and stories reflect the diversity of the school community.

Leaders know school priorities. They are aware inconsistencies have arisen because the staff team is new.

They check the quality of provision. However, it is not frequent enough to resolve the lack of consistency. Adults feel well supported by leaders.

They appreciate leaders' efforts to bring the team together.

The governing body have good strategic oversight. They understand the school's priorities.

Governors support leaders well. They have reorganised to ensure leaders receive the right challenge. However, this is at an early stage of development and has not made a difference.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Systems and procedures to keep children safe are up to date. Leaders maintain accurate records of concerns which arise.

Adults know families well and are persistent in making sure everything is done to keep children safe. They work with other agencies when it is necessary.

Adults know the correct procedures to follow if they are worried about a child.

There is always someone with responsibility for safeguarding to consult. A number of adults have received more in-depth training to ensure safeguarding is secure.Children learn how to keep themselves safe.

For example, one of the first words they learn is 'stop'. Staff encourage children to have a go and guide them how to tackle potential dangers, such as the stairs, safely.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• Outcomes from some of the tasks adults lead are not identified consistently enough.

This is particularly the case in the areas of communication and language, and personal, social and emotional development. As a result, adults are not always clear about what they want all children, including those with SEND, to know and understand. This leads to the use of imprecise vocabulary or the wrong activity choice.

Leaders should ensure that adults know exactly what they want children to learn, including the precise vocabulary and language they will use to achieve the intended learning. ? Leaders know that many recent staffing changes have resulted in curriculum implementation being inconsistent. Short term curriculum planning is not precise enough to guide staff.

Leaders should increase the frequency of checks to identify any inconsistencies. They should take prompt action to ensure all staff effectively support children's learning and development.Background

When we have judged a school to be outstanding, we will then normally go into the school about once every four years to confirm that the school remains outstanding.

This is called an ungraded inspection, and it is carried out under section 8 of the Education Act 2005. We do not give graded judgements on an ungraded inspection. However, if we find evidence that a school would now receive a higher or lower grade, then the next inspection will be a graded inspection, which is carried out under section 5 of the Act.

Usually this is within one to two years of the date of the ungraded inspection. If we have serious concerns about safeguarding, behaviour or the quality of education, we will deem the ungraded inspection a graded inspection immediately.

This is the first ungraded inspection since we judged the school to be outstanding in March 2017.